Myth 1: Coffee contains caffeine

It really is. But what is interesting is that in some wild varieties of this plant there is no caffeine. They are now being used to develop new cultivars with reduced caffeine content.

Misconceptions about coffee

In addition, there are brands of instant coffee from which almost all caffeine has been specially removed (0,02-0,05% remains). It is washed out with special solvents, and more recently with liquid carbon dioxide from still green grains, before roasting.

As for caffeine, according to British doctors, if a person is completely deprived of products containing caffeine: tea, Coca-Cola, all types of chocolate, it is likely that he may experience a headache and become very irritable. According to scientists, the body needs a certain amount of caffeine per day, equal to two cups of coffee, three cups of tea or a cup of liquid chocolate (half a bar of hard chocolate).

 

Myth 2: Coffee stimulates the brain

In fact, caffeine itself is not a stimulant. But here its molecule is similar in shape to the molecule of adenosine, a natural substance found in every cell, which slows down the production of energy in it.

Misconceptions about coffee

It turns out that caffeine temporarily takes the place of adenosine, but since it cannot slow down energy processes, cells, especially nerve cells, become more energetic.

 

Myth 3: Coffee raises blood pressure

This is a rather controversial thesis. Australian researcher Jack James claimed that three to four cups of coffee, distributed throughout the day, increase diastolic (lower) pressure by 2-4 millimeters of mercury. However, you can get the same boost in pressure simply from an emotional argument with a friend.

Misconceptions about coffee

Conducted research on the effect of coffee on pressure and doctors in other countries. So, English doctors claim that the "hypertonic" effect of coffee is short-lived, and in its usual consumers it disappears. And a Dutch study found that 45 drinkers who drank regular coffee for a long time in the amount of five cups a day, and then switched to decaffeinated varieties, had a pressure drop of only one millimeter.

 

Myth 4: Coffee is bad for the heart

This statement is nothing more than a myth. Here is the data of a study confirming that coffee is harmful to the heart only when consumed in excess. In Boston (USA), doctors observed 85747 women for 10 years, and during this time 712 cases of heart disease were noted among them.

Misconceptions about coffee

Most often, these diseases were noted in those who drank more than six cups a day, and in those who did not drink coffee at all. Scottish physicians, having examined 10359 men and women, ours, that those who drank coffee, cardiovascular diseases were less common. These data once again confirm that everything is good in moderation.

 

Myth 5: Coffee is addictive and can be considered a drug

Just like alcohol, sugar or chocolate, caffeine acts on the pleasure centers in the brain. But can it be considered a drug? According to experts, narcotic substances are characterized by three signs: causing gradual addiction, when an increasing dose is required to achieve the usual action; physical dependence and psychological dependence.

Misconceptions about coffee

If you evaluate coffee on these three grounds, it turns out, firstly, that addiction to it does not occur. Secondly, physical dependence still happens, since “weaning” from coffee causes headaches, drowsiness, and nausea in half of its lovers. And, perhaps most importantly, there is no psychological dependence, which is expressed by a drug addict in the fact that he is ready for anything, just to get the next dose. Therefore, coffee cannot be called a drug.